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Moffat takes Trans Am double in dramatic Sandown Saturday
JAMES MOFFAT has claimed a double dose of Trans Am Series victory on Saturday at Sandown following a pair of thrilling races.
Starting from pole, the Valvoline-backed Ford Mustang driver claimed a wild opener over Tom Hayman and Nash Morris.
The 17-lap affair started with Ben Grice grabbing the early lead prior to a series of frantic laps as a train of cars battled for the lead.
Grice led the first six laps under a sustained assault from the championship leader who was able to pounce for the lead at Dandenong road on lap six to grab the lead.
That move helped shuffle Grice back two spots, before an aggressive battle pack also hustled the early leader and ultimately relegated him three further spots back by the end.
Moffat then survived a final-lap dash following a late Safety Car to grab the win over Hayman and Morris, who charged past Elliot Barbour to grab the final spot on the podium in the closing stages. Barbour and Gillis completed the top five.
Moffat got the jump in the second race as the field raced into turn one five wide.
Through the wild racing, Elliot Barbour ended up second and Cody Gillis ran third in the early stages.
That lasted until Gillis launched an attack at Barbour at the final corner, the pair bashing doors with Gillis spinning out of third place as a result and Brett Holdsworth elevating himself into the top three.
It was a free kick for Moffat who only extended his race lead through the drama.
Ben Grice and Nash Morris both ran up the field in the opening laps before they dropped back – the latter running wide through the runoff and grass at turn six through eight.
In the closing laps, Barbour found himself holding off Holdsworth, Dalton and Ben Grice in a furious battle for second position, with Elliot Cleary also joining the fun.
Through it all, Moffat was able to record a comfortable win to extend his championship lead, with Barbour continuing his good form in second and Brett Holdsworth a season-best third.
Grice charged his way to fifth behind Dalton, with Cleary, Morris, Gillis, Hayman and Elly Morrow completing the top-10.
This report will update.
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